At the 2019 NAMM Show, Mod Devices introduced the Mod Duo X – a deeply customizable desktop audio and control voltage effects processor.
The MOD Duo X features ten assignable knobs, CV input and output and even more processing power.
Specifications:
- AUDIO
- Completely independent audio I/O with volume control
- Digitally-controlled multi-stage analog pre-amplification
- Commutable analog control inputs – 2 x Control Voltage / Expression Pedal
- Commutable outputs – 2 x Control Voltage / Headphone
- Cirrus Logic low noise audio AD/DA converter
- Relay-based True-Bypass
- Headphone out with dedicated volume control and direct monitoring option
- DIGITAL
- Powerful standalone NXP i.MX8M Quad core ARM Cortex-A53, 1.5GHz processor
- MIDI In and Out + MIDI over USB
- USB-host port for connecting peripherals and Bluetooth
- Expanded connectivity using a USB hub
- USB-device port for computer connection
- Control Chain port for MOD peripherals like the MOD Footswitch & MOD Expression Pedal
- Bluetooth support
- CONTROL AND MONITORING
- 2 big multi-function 128×64 graphical displays (readable in sunlight and optimized for live use)
- 2 freely-assignable rotary encoders (control a virtually infinite amount of plugin parameters through push-button assignments)
- 8 freely-assignable potentiometers
- 4 freely-assignable push-buttons
- Controller pagination system for multiple controlling scenarios
- 2 instant “snapshot” push-buttons for easy setting recall and alternation
- 4 LED audio meters
Pricing and Availability
The Mod Duo X is available for pre-order now for US $699.00
Been looking for a master effect that had similar tweak-abilities and instant recall like the Digitakt, and welp.. here it is. Amazing it runs/hosts any Max device and not just some weird exclusive plugin format. On the top of my list for sure!
Max? as in Max MSP? nooo, Mod devices are really running plugins (a lot of them LV2) compiled for ARM Linux. It is a very particular format but it tends to be supported if you made a standards compliant VST (JUCE is a good framework for this). There are a lot good quality plugins compiled for these, but you’re not gonna get Waves plugins or Max for Live devices (heavily x86-64 dependent).
Doesn’t hurt to read first: “Max compatible (any gen~ based Max tool will run on the Duo and Duo X)”
Indeed: https://wiki.moddevices.com/wiki/Max_gen~
This is not about running Max/MSP patches as some people not familiar with gen~ might suspect.
This is great and looks like an expanded version of the Novation – Audiohub eg. Mk II , v2.0.
I wonder what DSP functions they have in mind for the ARM processor ?
You could do a lot of multi-effects, or virtual synthesizer functions with that !
I wish Novation would make a buget friendly version for the bedroom hobbyists.
Somehow, their description completely skips the unit’s core functionality. It describes all of the trimmings but not what the device actually does. 🙂
From their site: “The MOD Duo X is a standalone audio processor that contains an infinite array of effects, virtual instruments and MIDI utilities. ”
Ah…
thats exactly what I thought. Thousand words, but I still have no clue what it is: Is it a synth? a FX-Rack? a CV sequencer? can it make chai latte?
+1. I’m like, “so what does it do?”
I suppose it’s more like a DSP host with a nice physical interface.
It’d be nice if they just even mention whether it comes with any pre-programmed effects or utilities or CV tools. I’m expecting it does for that price.
It’s a standalone processor, (a plugin host, for both the nerd and the layperson). What part of this is so hard to understand?
What in the earth a ” DSP host” means by the way?
Hmm, the Mod Duo and Mod Duo X are both $699.00 on their shop. Is the X replacing the original at the same price? Or is $699 the pre-order price? Or?
I’ve been reading about this unit lately, seems like a serious contender for Eventide H9 for example – although with much more flexibility… the price is quite steep but seems appropriate for what it offers.
I would love to hear more demos once it’s out, from people from the electronic scene.
if they have a nice looper with MIDI sync (I think I remember reading there was something alike that was compatible) it could be a great option for looping / transitioning / effecting hardware sequencers like the Digitakt.
As an owner of an H9, the only similarity could be that they both are in a stompbox form. One is limited to a single effect at a time in which you should purchase from the manufacturer (as a whole or one by one), and the other is…
I have an original Mod unit with the Mod footswitch. As an (ahem) guitarist, the Mod provides pretty much everything between the guitar and your power amp/audio interface. You have the choice of running a simple mono rig or running a more complex stereo rig. You download the plug ins you want, arrange them via the easy to use browser based gui, stick the drag and drop plugins together in the order you want them and ‘connect’ to the outputs and you’re off (making horrible noises in my case). So, the box gives you a pre-amp/power amp emulation with modulations/delays/pitch shifting/reverbs and your choice of speaker cabinet. I usually use the dedicated headphone socket but I have used the two outputs (in either stereo or a paralell configuration…
There are synth plugins available and five pin midi connections for your synth/controller but I haven’t gone down that road as of yet…
Once you have a signal chain saved to the unit, there’s no need to connect to a desktop computer or tablet. you just select yout preset and you’re away…
There’s a bunch of midi utilities also available to download so you can use it as you see fit
Last thing, most of the plug ins are free downloads… oh yeah, it also has stuff for vocalists so just plug your microphone in and do what you do….